ORR activity and stability of Co-N/C catalysts based on silicon carbide derived carbon and the impact of loading in acidic media
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Author
Teppor, Patrick
Jäger, Rutha
Härk, Eneli
Tallo, Indrek
Joost, Urmas
Kook, Mati
Paiste, Päärn
Šmits, Krišjānis
Kirsimäe, Kalle
Lust, Enn I.
Date
2018Metadata
Show full item recordAbstract
A simple and facile synthesis method was used to produce two Co-N/C type oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) catalysts. The materials were initially characterized by utilizing a variety of physical methods. Most importantly, the XPS analysis revealed high amounts of pyridinic nitrogen and Co-Nx species in the case of both studied Co-N/C catalysts. The electrochemical characterization showed that both of the synthesized Co-N/C catalysts have a high ORR activity in acidic media, displaying a half-wave potential of 0.70 V vs RHE. Additionally, the effect of varying the catalyst loading was studied and it was found that increasing the catalyst loading from 0.1 to 1.8 mg cm−2 significantly improved the ORR activity and the electron transfer number. Finally, several catalysts were subjected to a week-long stability test in order to establish their activity degradation rates. It was found that increased degradation rates of the Co-N/C catalysts were established at decreased catalyst loadings.